Building Community Through Volunteerism

Raising Strong Women

Cammy

Hansen of Duluth shares her financial expertise in her career and in her volunteer work to help people in our community. Throughout the years, she has proactively carried her gifts, skills, and experience onward to new ventures in both professional and volunteer realms. She’s a sparkling gem in our community.

Hansen’s banking career

Hansen is Vice President-Mortgage and Banking Director at National Bank of Commerce in Duluth. She started out her banking career years ago as a part-time teller at North Shore Bank of Commerce.

“I started out in banking when I was going to school,” she explained. “Over the years I was able to advance and to grow in that path. I found that I loved banking and specifically being able to assist people in banking.”

Hansen began working at National Bank of Commerce in 2011 in the mortgage area. She later worked in several positions in mortgage and signature banking, and now she’s back in mortgage banking.

“It really has been a passion for me,” she said of banking. “I love what I do. I also have three daughters, so I really am trying to be a role model for them and to raise strong women. I hope they can be whatever they’d like in their career. There is glass ceiling stuff going on, and I don’t want them to have to deal with that.”

Hansen’s daughters are 29, 24, and 17. The oldest is in the Twin Cities and is married with two children. Her two younger daughters both live in Duluth. The middle daughter is married, and the youngest is a senior at Duluth East High School.

“I think that my girls have always seen me work hard and have been able to see my career progress,” Hansen said. “They also know that if they work hard, they’re going to get to where they want to be. They would say that yes their mom works hard, but she has made a success of herself.”

It all began with Junior League

Hansen started her volunteer career when she became a member of Junior League of Duluth in 2004. As its website states, “Junior League of Duluth is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”

“Junior League really taught me and inspired me how important it is to give back,” she explained. “I served on the Finance Council and volunteered at the annual Festival of Trees events over the years. Junior League was my first contact on serving on non-profit boards.”

Although Hansen has moved on to other volunteer commitments and no longer actively attends Junior League, she remains a sustaining member.

“I still have many contacts from my time as an active member,” she said. “That group of volunteers is a big part of my career today and where I am as a volunteer. I see my Junior League women every day in the skywalk and at events. It’s an amazing group of women. I’ve recommended young women to look to Junior League for volunteer opportunities and leadership roles.”

Current volunteer endeavors

Hansen took the skills and experience she gained while working with the Junior League to new volunteer endeavors. Currently she serves as the board chair for Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center. She has been on that board since 2014, and she has also served as treasurer.

“Safe Haven is my passion right now and has been for a few years,” Hansen said. “Much of what I try to do is introduce people to Safe Haven and the good work that has been done, and the tremendous need for Safe Haven, which is hard